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Aerodrom (band)

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Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Aerodrom (band), available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 29 November 20252 sources
Aerodrom
Company typeRock band
IndustryMusic
Founded1978
FounderJurica Pađen
Headquarters
Zagreb
,
Croatia
Area served
Former Yugoslavia, Croatia
Key people
Jurica Pađen (guitarist, vocalist, chief songwriter)
ProductsRock music albums and performances

Aerodrom () is a rock group originating from Zagreb, Croatia, formed in 1978 during the Yugoslav era. Under the leadership of guitarist, vocalist, and chief songwriter Jurica Pađen, Aerodrom became a notable presence within the Yugoslav rock landscape.

Pađen, who had previously gained recognition with Grupa 220 and Parni Valjak, assembled the band with vocalist Zlatan Živković, bassist Remo Krstanović Cartagine, drummer Paolo Sfeci, and keyboardist Mladen Krajnik. Their initial style was rooted in progressive rock, with their 1979 debut album Kad misli mi vrludaju attracting both media and public interest. By the time they released Tango Bango in 1981, their sound evolved towards a more straightforward approach influenced by new wave, resulting in several popular tracks. Following Živković's exit, Pađen took over vocal responsibilities. The 1983 album Obične ljubavne pjesme became their most commercially successful release, succeeded by two additional albums leaning into pop rock. The lineup prior to disbandment featured Pađen on guitar and vocals, Cartagine on bass, and Živković—who rejoined in 1986—handling vocals and drums. The band dissolved in 1987, after which Pađen joined the well-known band Azra. In 1993, he formed Pađen Band, producing three albums before reviving Aerodrom in 2000. Since this reunion, they have issued four studio albums; notably, the 2007 release Rock @ Roll was the first featuring Pađen as the only remaining original member. Following this period, performances have been billed as Jurica Pađen & Aerodrom.

Origins and progressive rock phase (1978–1980)

Jurica "Jura" Pađen began his musical journey at age fifteen as a guitarist with Zoo Band and later played with Spectrum and Hobo. In 1972, he joined Grupa 220 alongside vocalist Drago Mlinarec and guitarist Husein Hasanefendić. With Grupa 220, he participated in recording their final album Slike (1975). After the group disbanded that year, Pađen and Hasanefendić co-founded Parni Valjak with singer Aki Rahimovski. Pađen contributed to Parni Valjak’s first two records before the group went on hiatus in 1978 due to mandatory military service affecting key members.

In 1978, Pađen formed Aerodrom with vocalist Zlatan Živković (previously a drummer), bassist Remo Krstanović Cartagine, drummer Paolo Sfeci (formerly of Balkan Sevdah Band), and keyboardist Mladen Krajnik (who had experience with Grupa Marina Škrgatića, Grupa 220, and Divlje Jagode). Although initially considering Jura Stublić for vocals, Pađen ultimately selected Živković for his vocal capabilities. The band's name was inspired by Pađen’s romantic involvement with a flight attendant.

Aerodrom's early work centered on progressive rock. One of their significant early performances was at the 1978 BOOM Festival. In 1979, they served as an opening act for Bijelo Dugme at Belgrade’s JNA Stadium and secured a contract with Jugoton after recording demos aided by Vedran Božić. Their debut album Kad misli mi vrludaju, produced by Božić, was released later that year. Despite progressive rock's waning popularity amid rising punk and new wave movements in Yugoslavia, the album attracted attention through songs such as its title track and "Kraj tebe u tami," which was later covered by Azra. The band earned special commendation from SR Croatia's Commission for Culture. After Sfeci departed to join Parni Valjak, Branko Knežević took over drumming duties.

Adoption of new wave style (1981)

The 1981 release, Tango Bango, was recorded in Milan and produced by Piko Stančić, marking the band's embrace of the energetic new wave movement.[1][2] Compositions by Pađen, Krajnik, and Cartagine shaped a radio-friendly pop rock aesthetic.[1] Pađen made his vocal debut on the track "Djevojke" ("Girls").[1] The album generated radio successes such as "Stavi pravu stvar" ("Put the Right Thing"), "Dobro se zabavljaj" ("Have a Lot of Fun"), and "Tvoje lice" ("Your Face"), significantly increasing the band’s public profile.[1] Shortly after the album’s release, Krajnik departed for compulsory military duty and was succeeded by Zoran Kraš from Stakleno Zvono.[1] Not long after, Živković also exited, with Pađen taking over all lead vocal responsibilities.[1]

Pađen as lead vocalist, commercial peak, and dissolution (1982–1987)

In 1982, Aerodrom unveiled their third studio project, Obične ljubavne pjesme (Ordinary Love Songs), recorded in Sweden and produced by Tini Varga, who additionally contributed guitar and backing vocals.[1] The album featured guest saxophonist Ulf Andersson, noted for his work with ABBA.[1] It contained the band’s most prominent hit, "Obična ljubavna pjesma" ("Ordinary Love Song"), which propelled a successful tour through key venues in Sarajevo, Belgrade, and Zagreb.[1] Band activities were temporarily halted due to Pađen's military service.[1]

Following Pađen's return in 1984, he and Cartagine participated in Azra's spring tour before recording Aerodrom’s fourth album, Dukat i pribadače (Ducat and Pins), produced by Rajko Dujmić from Novi Fosili.[1] This album delivered hits including "Fratello", "24 sata" ("24 Hours"), and "Digni me visoko" ("Lift Me High"), alongside politically infused tracks like "Laž" ("Lie") and "Daj neku lovu" ("Give Some Money").[1] Though talks were conducted with keyboardist Tihomir "Pop" Asanović regarding promotional concerts, the band ultimately toured with pianist Alen Bjelinski.[1]

After the tour concluded, Bjelinski left to join Limeni Bubanj (Tin Drum); Aerodrom continued recording as a trio. Živković returned to substitute for Smoljanović and added vocal contributions.[1] Their fifth studio record, Trojica u mraku (Three Men in the Dark), produced by Pađen himself, featured guest appearances from Laza Ristovski (keyboards), Miroslav Sedak Benčić (saxophone), Ante Dropuljić (trumpet), and Herbert Stencel (trombone).[1] The album explored varied themes including criticism of rock journalists ("Zagreb, Ljubljana i Beograd"), expressions of social discontent ("Eat a Shit"), and philosophical reflections ("Pozdrav sa Bardo ravni").[1]

In 1987, Živković emigrated to Australia, which resulted in Aerodrom disbanding.[1] Towards the end of the decade, Pađen and Cartagine occasionally performed under the Aerodrom banner alongside drummer Boris Leiner but without intentions to fully reactivate the group.[1]

Period following the breakup (1987–2001)

Following the dissolution of Aerodrom, Pađen rejoined Azra, participating in the creation of their 1987 studio album Između krajnosti (Between Extremes) and the 1988 live release Zadovoljština (Satisfaction). He also contributed to Branimir Štulić's solo projects, including Balkanska rapsodija and Balegari ne vjeruju sreći, both released in 1989. Pađen remained active with Azra until their final performance on 15 August 1990 in Hvar.

Amidst the Croatian War of Independence in 1991, Pađen recorded the track "Tko to tamo gine" ("Who's That Dying Over There") for the compilation Moja domovina (My Homeland) and produced a rendition of Azra’s "Balkan," retitled "Papan," for the album Rock za Hrvatsku (Rock for Croatia). During this period, he also performed live for Croatian military personnel.

In 1993, Pađen established Pađen Band, which debuted with the album Hamburger City, featuring the popular single "Što si u kavu stavila" ("What Did You Put in My Coffee") that notably incorporated a musical reference to "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood." The group followed up with two additional albums: Slatka mala stvar (Cute Little Thing) in 1995 and Izbrisani grafiti (Erased Graffiti) in 1997. The latter included well-received tracks such as "Otkazani let" ("Cancelled Flight") and "Nevolja" ("Trouble"). Notably, "Samo da me draga ne ostavi" ("I Only Hope My Darling Won't Leave Me") from this album attracted renewed media attention in 2020 due to its similarity to Paul McCartney's 2018 song "Confidante," which led to speculation regarding possible legal proceedings.

Reunion and subsequent projects (2000–present)

In 2000, following the release of the Pađen Band's compilation Retro 16, Pađen revived Aerodrom with a refreshed lineup comprising himself on vocals and guitar, Mladen Krajnik on keyboards, Tomislav Šojat handling bass duties, and Zlatan Živković on drums. This reformation produced the comeback album Na travi (2001), entirely penned by Pađen, featuring notable tracks such as "A do Splita pet" and "Badnja noć."

Pađen’s solo instrumental effort, Žicanje, was released in 2003, drawing inspiration from 1960s music styles and featuring contributions from Šojat and former Aerodrom bassist Remo Krstanović Cartagine. This album earned him the Fender Award for Best Croatian Instrumental Album. Concurrently, he formed the supergroup 4 Asa alongside Vlado Kalember, Alen Islamović, and Rajko Dujmić, producing two studio albums, a live recording, and a video album that presented reimagined versions of their earlier hits.

The year 2007 saw Pađen collaborating with Šojat and new drummer Slavko Pintarić "Pišta" to create Rock @ Roll, marking the first release under Jurica Pađen & Aerodrom with Pađen as the sole founding member involved. This album combined fresh compositions with "Fait Accompli," co-written with Branimir Štulić as a tribute to John Lennon. Their inaugural live album, Hitovi i legende, was released in 2009 after being recorded at a December 2008 concert in Zagreb; it featured selections from Aerodrom’s catalog alongside material from Pađen Band and related projects.

Since 2009, the ensemble has included Pađen, Šojat, guitarist Ivan Havidić, and drummer Damir Medić. They issued the studio album Taktika noja in 2012, which generated popular tracks like "Loše volje," "Ostani," and "Duh je nestao." In 2014, Pađen released his solo instrumental album All Stars, showcasing collaborations with distinguished Croatian musicians such as Branimir Štulić and Massimo Savić. In 2018, Croatia Records published The Original Album Collection, a box set compiling Aerodrom’s first five studio albums. Their most recent studio work is Dnevni rituali (2019), highlighted by the hippie-influenced single "Sunce mi se smije."

Legacy

Aerodrom's track "Obična ljubavna pesma" was reinterpreted as "Gdy Miasto Śpi (Snem Kamiennym)" ("When the City Sleeps (Dead Asleep)") on the 2001 compilation Yugoton, which features Polish musicians performing covers of Yugoslav rock classics. The Croatian ensemble Postolar Tripper, known for world music, included their rendition on the 2007 album Zamisli život u ritmu cipela za ples (Imagine a Life in the Rhythm of Dancing Shoes). Additionally, Croatian vocalist Marko Tolja collaborated with the Croatian Radiotelevision Jazz Orchestra to produce a swing adaptation of Aerodrom's "Stavi pravu stvar," released on their 2017 album bearing the same title.

In the year 2000, the song "Fratello" was positioned at No.87 in the Rock Express Top 100 Yugoslav Rock Songs of All Times ranking.

Members

Current lineup
  • Jurica "Jura" Pađen – guitar (1978–1987, 2000–present), lead vocals (1982–1987, 2000–present)
  • Tomislav Šojat – bass guitar (2000–present)
  • Ivan Havidić – guitar (2009–present)
  • Damir Medić – drums (2009–present)
Former members
  • Zlatan Živković – vocals (1978–1982, 1986–1987), drums (1986–1987, 2000–2005)
  • Remo Krstanović Cartagine – bass guitar (1978–1987)
  • Paolo Sfeci – drums (1978–1980)
  • Mladen Krajnik – keyboards (1978–1981, 2000–2005)
  • Branko Knežević – drums (1980–1984)
  • Zoran Kraš – keyboards (1981–1984)
  • Nenad Smoljanović – drums (1984–1986)
  • Alen Bjelinski – keyboards (1984)
  • Slavko Pintarić "Pišta" – drums (2005–2009)

Studio albums

Live albums

Compilations

Box Sets

  • The Original Album Collection (2018)

External links

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named janjatović9
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named vesić266

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